Sound-box.



H, G. MLLER.

SOUND BOX.

APPLIUATION FILED 1350.23. laos.

1,087,035. Y' Patente@ Feb.1o,19l4

@141mm tou HCMWZZSI To 'all who-m it may concern:

HENRY c. mtr-.nm or ws'rnnroim; NEW-roux.

` scrum-noix.

Waterford, iii the county of Saratoga, andj State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in soundboxes for talking machines.

The object of the invention is to provide a fret held spring plate fulcrum, a pad acting the same as iinger pressure over the fret to give a certain note, as in the case of an instrument such as a mandolin or guitar.

A further object of the invention is to 'provideja self adjusting means on the stylus lever to permit the latter to be in yielding contact with the diaphragm, irrespective of the adjustment of the fulcrum, also to recompense for the dishing of the diaphragm by'an adjustable modifying element and its actuating means.

The invention also relates to the details of Fig. 6, is a detail front elevation of the front of the casing to bring out clearly the forma-v tioiifof the fret. Fig. 7, is a detailvsection on line 7 7 Fig. 6. Fig. 8, is a detail perspective viewof one forni of modifying element. Fig. 9, is a detail view of a further modified form of modifying element.

1, designates the casing having a portion of one face slightly cut away, and adjacent thereto is formed a fret 2. Surrounding the sound box casing is a collar 3, formed with a slot 4, through which passes a set screw 5.

VThe collar 3, is integral withtlie horn,

which communicates with the casing 1, througlia slot 7 This construction permitsv of the adjustment of the sound box with reference to the horn, so that the stylus can be- Specicaticn of LettersV Patent. Application filed December 23, 1908. Sierial No. 468,980.

set atdifferent angles to coperate with the record. I r

f. Restin on the fret 2, isa thin flat spring plate 8, c amped to the sound box by means of a bar'10,'with an'interposed piece of felt or like material, forming a pad 11.l The bar 10, is held in position by 'means of screws 12. The fiat spring 8, has attached'.

to it'the 'stylus'. lever which ispreferably formed in two sections 13, and l@ The upper section 14 is hinged to the lower section 13, asiindicated at "15, and the said upper section is provided with an extension 16, projecting beyond the pivotal point 15, and is bent towardthe flower section to act in the nature of a spring contact, the friction between the two sections being sutiicient to communicate, or carry the vibration vfrom Patented Feb. 1o, i914.

the lower section, which carries the stylus,

through the upper section to the sound box.`

The free end of the upper section 14, con-v tacts with the diaphragm, and by releasing the screw 12, the stylus lever as a whole may be adjusted as may be desired while 'fthe hinge connection between said vsections insures perfect contact with the center of said diaphragm. l

The casing 1, is provided with 'a seat 17, with a washer 18, against which the diaphragm 20, rests. Against the diaphragm is a resilient washer 21, and'in contact with the Washer is a spider 22, connected by a screw 23, passing through a threaded open'- ing 24, injthel rear plate 25. The hinged stylus lever allows the stylus to adjust itself when thediaphragmispressed more or less toward it, when the washers 13, and 21, are operated upon by the spider. It must be understood that the spring plate 8, must always be in normal condition, or in other words without strain in either direction, otherwise when 'the vibrations are transferred to the diaphragm they will be im? perfect. Furthermore thediapliragm is better adapted to perform its mission if the stylus lever does not control it as a one piece one would' do, when the diiferent adjustments are given to the diaphragm.-

-On the inne-r side of the diaphragm and opposite the point of contact of the stylus lever therewith, is a modifying element 26, connected to a spring 27, on the upper section 14, of the stylus lever, the said spring automatic recompensing' device, for under.

'beingV connected to .the modifying element by means 'of a dexible connection28. rllhis connection has a tendency to draw the upper section la, toward the diaphragm on the oppositeside of saiddiaphragm, maliing an elastic but perfect' contact. The flexible element passes freely through an onening in the centerof the diaphragm adjacent the point of Contact of they stylus lever therewith. This construct-ion iswliat I term'an all circumstances it maintains" a uniform pressure of the upper section of the stylus lever on the diaphragm. The spring 27, is extended as shown at 27a, and performs an additional function in that it may beused as a means formodiying the tone of the' diaphragm 'by pressing it forward, as\indi cated in Fig. 3. By pressing slightly on the springthe. operator may change the tone duality of the diaphragm with perfect safety and without harm to the record or the stylus, inasmuch as' the hinged connection betweenv the sections will permit of movement of the upper section which contacts with the dia,-A

phragin, while the lower section will remain 1n its normal condition, in contact with the record. r

The rear plate 25, of the casingisformed withv a series of openings 30, and mounted on the screw 23, is a plate 3l, formed with a series of openings 32, designed to be brought into register with the openings 30; a finger piece 33, projecting through one of the openings inthe rear plate that the operator may conveniently adjust the damper. A spring 34, is interposed between 'the spider 22, and the damper 31, tohold the latter tightly against the rear plate, as will be un derstood by reference to the drawing. `By adjustingv the damper it will allow of a certain volume of sound to pass directly to the atmosphere, Without ampliiication of said sound which would otherwise occur if-the whole volume of sound were to be passed through the horn. In Fig. 8, I have shown one form of moditying element 26, th same consisting 'of a thin plate 35, forme with an opening for thepassage of tlieflexible element to secure l it in place, and providedwit-h. two adjustable contacts 36. The contacts-36, are preferably in the form of 'sections of rubber tubing or other elastic material, and are 'slipped on the plate 35, and are adapted tol be moved toward or away from the center to tune the diaphragm. It is well known in thisart that thefniore ofthe center of the diaphragm wl'iichran be held substantially" rigid and vibrated, the lower the pitch of the sound'produced will be. k0n the other hand the smaller the portion of the center of the diaphragm so held, the tendency is to cause the sound reproduced to be of `tion 'of natural Y. musicaliqualities4 whether-- one side, and the modifying element toward vocal or instrumental. The lower section 13, of the stylus vlever is bifurcated and a set screw 39, passes through one of the arms and bears' on the other to provide an adjustment to obtain more or less tense sound,-

used in giving demonstrations 'for word eiect, that is, to bring out certain words' m'oreor less perfectly as the case might be. V'

In Fig-5, I have shown a different form of modifying element which in itself is 'not adjustable, but vmay be used'after testing the diaphragm by an adjustable element suchas shown in Fig. 8. However, I do not desire to limit myself to the exact form of modifying element as it may be made re` silient as shown in Fig. 9, in which event the stylus lever will be held against the diaphragm in a manner substantially asshown in Fie'. 4.

`Reerring now particularly to Figs. 3,' 6, i

and 7, it will be'noted that the fret 2, is in the nature -of a rib,forme'd on the casing by cutting away 'aportion of the latter, and resting directly on the .fret is the'spring plate or fulcrum for the stylus lever. The fret is' in alinement with the lower edge of the .cross bar l0, and as previously stated av pad is interposed between said bar'and plate to form a perfect contact with a` lim-` ited part or portion of the 'spring plate, which may beregulated according to the pressure of the spring, and adjusted to p ro duce perfect reproduction. y j

lVhile I have described what I regard asthe, preferable manner of carrying out my invention, I desirey it to be distinctlynndersto'od that the various features may be changed without departing'lfrom the spirit and scope of myinvention. For instance the diaphragm maybe used Without the Vmodifyingelement'or the dampenand the modifying result obtained by the extension of the stylus lever may be used to strengthen or weaken the sound transmission. '.In making a record the diaphragmacting on the upper section causes the ,-latter' lic of the spring 27. Or, the lower adjustment to vibrate, the said 'vibrations beingy transferred by the frictional Contact 16, to the lower sectionas will be readily understood. i

Having described my .invention what -I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1% l. A sound box, 'comprising a casing, av diaphragm, means supporting the diaphragm in the casing, a stylus lever yieldingby connected to the casing and in contact with the diaphragm, a spring carried by the stylus lever, and a connection between the spring and the diaphragm.

2. A sound box, comprising. a^cas1n`g .a

phragm in the casing, a stylus lever yieldingly connected to the casing and in contact with the diaphragrm'a spring carried by the stylus lever, a modifying element bearing against the diaphragm, and a connection between the spring and the modifying element.

3. A sound box, comprising a casing, a. diaphragm, a stylus lever in contact with the diaphragm, a spring element supportedby the stylus lever, said spring element having an extension to form a finger piece anda iiexible connection between the spring ele ment and the diaphragm. l.

L1. A sound box, comprising a casing, a diaphragm, a stylus lever contacting with .the diaphragm, a spring element connected tothe diaphragm, and supported by and extending trom the stylus lever.

5. A sound box, comprising a casing,

diaphragm, a stylus lever normally in contact with the diaphragm, a modifying elef ment in contact with the diaphragm, and ree silient means interposed' between the' 'modif fyingelement and the stylus Tevein 6.A1 sound box, comprising a casing, a diaphragm, a radially disposed resilient 'support extending from the casing and carrying a stylus lever, an element clamping the resilient support to 'the sound box, aV padded elementinterposed between the clamping element, and the resilient support, and means for'holding the stylus lever in contact with the diaphragm.

7. A sound box, comprising a casing, a diaphragm, a stylus lever normally in oontact with the diaphragm, a spring supported by the stylus lever, and a flexible connection interposed between the spring and the dia'- phragm.

8. A sound box, comprising a casing, a diaphragm, a. stylus lever, resilient means suppe, ling the stylus lever, a bar clamping the resilient connection to the casing, a modifying element in 'Contact with the diaphragm, a spring supported by the stylus lever, and a iiexible connection between the spring and the modifying element.

9. A sound box, comprising a casing provided with a fret, a diaphragm, a stylus lever, a radially disposed resilient connection intermediate the casing andthe stylus lever and bearing on the tret, and means for holding thestylus lever in contact with the diaphra gm; 10. A sound box, comprising a casing, a diaphragm, a support, a stylus lever mounted on the support and having its end in contact with the 'diaphragm and formed with a. slot belowV its support to provide a resilient member, and a screw for increasing or decreasing the tension yoi said member.

k11.'A sound box, comprising a'casing, a

' diaphragm, a stylus lever mounted on the l casing, and in contact with thef diaphragm,

a spiderwithin, the casing, means for moving the spider to regulate theftone of the diaphragm, an atmosphere damper kin the casing, and a spring interposed between the m spider and damper.

.12. A sound box, comprising a casing having a rear wall, ormed with openings, adiaphragm, a stylus lever, a damper bearing against the rear wall and formed with openings and adapted to register with the openings in the casing, 'a yielding device for compressing Vtheir'damper, against the rear wall anda horn in communication with the casing.

13. A sound box, comprising afcasing, a diaphragm suplaoifted in a seat in the casing, a stylus, lever, a spring mounted on the stylus lever, ailexible connection interposed between the diaphragm and the spring, and g5 means for regulating. the pressure ofvv the -diaphragm on lts seat.

145A. sound box, comprising a casing, a diaphragm, ai stylus lever -in contact. with the diaphragm, a spider in thecasing, a screw connected with'the spider, a damper, in the casing, and a spring interposed between the spider and the damper. I f

15. A sound box, comprising a. casing, having a fret, a stylus lever having aspring fulcrum, including a spring plate and a padded bar, said bar being parallelv with the fret'and clamping the spring plate to saidlret.' .A 16. A vsound box, comprising a-casing, a

diaphragm, a stylus lever yieldingly connected to the casing so t-he upper end will move in the direction of the flexing movement of the diaphragm, said stylus lever consisting of two parts hinged together, above the yielding connection so that-each section may move independently in the direction of thel flexing movement of the diaphragm, and means for yieldingly holding the free end of the stylus lever in contact with the diaphragm. f

17. A sound box, comprisingl a casing,.a, diaphragm, a stylus lever, a yielding connection extending radially from the casing and to which the stylus lever is secured, said stylus lever consisting of two parts hinged togetherlj, 'and means for frictionally holding the twov parts in Contact with each other.

18; A sound-z ox, comprising a casingga 120 diaphragm, a. *stylus lever made in sections, means Jfor holding saidsections in frictional engagement with each other, a yielding connection for holding the upper one of said sections in Contact with the diaphragm, and means for resiliently supporting one of the sections on the casino. 1

19. A sound box, comprising a casing, a diaphragm, a stylus lever Jformed in sections, means whereby the stylus lever may be vertically adjusted, a spring on'the upper lever section, and a flexible connection. between the stylus lever and the diaphragm the spring holding the upper sectionof the styluslever in .contact with the diaphragm.

20. A sound boX, comprising a casing, a

T21. A sound boX, comprising a casing, a

diaphragm, a stylus lever, a modifying element in contact withbut disconnected from one face of the diaphragm, and means on the vopposite sideof the diaphragm for yieldingly holding the modifying element.l `in contact with the diaphragm.

22. A sound box, vcomprising a casing, a diaphragm, a stylus lever, amodifying element loosely held in contact with one face of the diaphragm, and a connection interposed between the stylus lever and the modifying element to hold said modifying element and stylus lever in yielding Contact with the diaphragm.

23. A sound box,comprisinga diaphragm, a'stylus lever, a vertically mounted spring plate forming a fulcrum for the stylus lever and sustaining the Weight of the sound box, means permitting adjustment of the springplate toward and from the center of the diaphragm, and means for yieldingly holding the free end of the stylus lever in Contact with the diaphragm.

24. A sound box, comprising a casing,

having a fret, a diaphragm, a stylus lever, a

vertically mounted spring fulcrum plate fastened to the-,stylus and ne includng a padded bar, to l of adiustment of the spring filler-um im: .verticallyy and laterally.,r

..25. A sound box, comprising a casing, a-

casing, and automatic recompensi means.

on the stylus leveiiicluding a Hexl le connection for holding the stylus leverin con tact with the diaphragm. A

27; A sound box, comprising ay casing, a diaphragm, a spring fulcrumed stylus 'lever formed in two sections hinged together and frictionally held in contact with each other,

and means on the diaphragm and the upper end of the stylus lever to hold said stylus lever and the diaphragm in frictional contact.

28. A sound boit comprising a casing, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, a stylus lever.J afulcrum extending radially from the casing to support the stylus lever, the stylus lever comprising two sections connected t0- gether by a frictional joint above the plane of the fulcrum, and flexible means connecting the upper section of the stylus bar and the diaphragm.

In testimony whereof aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY C. MILLER.

Witnesses:

WM. F. PALMER, GERALD A. BoYLE. 

